I'm always grateful when someone buys one of my books, whichever outlet they use. But I always do my best to nudge them towards retailers other than Amazon, wherever possible. It's better for me, for publishing, and for humanity in general.

Movies Silently@moviessilently.bsky.social · yesterday

A reminder: If you absolutely cannot boycott Amazon, don’t. But can you make them NOT your default? If every Amazon customer cut their spending by just 10%, Bezos would burst his facelift sutures. This doesn’t have to be an all or nothing.

As well as being a children' author, I also run a website called THE READING REALM where I interview other children's authors and illustrators! Here's a new interview with @mariesadulak.bsky.social! thereadingrealm.co.uk/2026/08/03/g... #KidLit #KidLitUK #PrimaryEduSky #BookSky

GET TO KNOW MARIESA DULAK - The Reading Realm

Today Ian Eagleton sits down in The Reading Realm for a chat with children’s author Mariesa Dulak! Before we settle down in The Reading Realm for a chat, what’s your drink and snack of choice? A soya ...

thereadingrealm.co.uk

Guy who went on holiday to Toontown and made it his whole personality:

It's a question to put to @evolutionofhorror.bsky.social. I'm really enjoying your Evolution of Folk Horror Revisited episode, and I hope to see you in Cardiff for the Lost Boys screening.

P.G. Bell@pgbellwriter.bsky.social · 7d ago

Is "Industrial Folk Horror" a genre? It is now. youtu.be/soU27NZ6iLE?...

Is "Industrial Folk Horror" a genre? It is now. youtu.be/soU27NZ6iLE?...

Trainwatch - Official Announcement Trailer

YouTube video by Indie Games Hub

youtu.be

I'm not letting AI horseshit maneuver me into a defensive position with my writing. I write like I write. I love emdashes. I keep using emdashes. Whatever we write, AI will take and copy it -- all you can do is keep writing the best shit you can write in the form you want it to take, and fuck it.

Manisha Krishnan@manishakrishnan.bsky.social · last wk.

Authors and journalists are doing more first-person (hello 2010s blogging) and embracing "mistakes" in writing to prove they're not chatbots. There's even an “anti-Grammarly" app that leaves in typos and signs off "sent from my iPhone" to create more authenticity: www.wired.com/story/more-t...

Abie's written a great piece on the highs and lows of the publishing experience.

Abie Longstaff@abielongstaff.bsky.social · last wk.

Up now on my Publishing Peptalk Substack... The 'Sliding Doors' Moments of Publishing

As someone who clambered onto a bike for the first time in a loooong time last week, this sort of thing sounds really handy.

Cardiff Cycle City | Dinas Feicio Caerdydd@cardiffcyclecity.bsky.social · last wk.

British Cycling, in partnership with Lloyds, have launched Sofa to Saddle, a brand new, free to use app to help inspire and enable the nation to get on their bikes. www.britishcycling.org.uk/about/articl...

It’s well worth reading this piece about the free copy of Impossible Creatures. I would add one thing to this: I’ve had a few interactions with the National Literacy Trust. They’re genuinely brilliant, and there’s few other places or people out there as passionate about the role of comics.

Books for Keeps, the children's books review journal@booksforkeeps.bsky.social · last wk.

NEW #BfK article: @darrenchetty.bsky.social discusses the controversy around ‘The Queen’s Christmas Present’, an announcement has not been met with universal approval. #KidLitUK booksforkeeps.co.uk/article/on-r...

This is probably the most robust response I've yet seen to the Impossible Creatures/Year of Reading situation. @darrenchetty.bsky.social asks some very searching questions about who this giveaway benefits, and who might be driving it. #KidLit #KidLitUK

Books for Keeps, the children's books review journal@booksforkeeps.bsky.social · last wk.

NEW #BfK article: @darrenchetty.bsky.social discusses the controversy around ‘The Queen’s Christmas Present’, an announcement has not been met with universal approval. #KidLitUK booksforkeeps.co.uk/article/on-r...

Most epic thread on the Reading for Pleasure report. Thanks so much @louiestowell.bsky.social for highlighting key stats and points! Glad they’re focusing on boys aged 10-16 and early years and your point about visiting local libraries made me want to scream too!

Louie Stowell@louiestowell.bsky.social · 2w ago

Ok, it's time for Finally Read The Longread Tabs I Have Open Sunday! This one's a LONG one...the edcuation select committee report on reading for pleasure. publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5902/cm...

This right here is a big part of the problem.

Louie Stowell@louiestowell.bsky.social · last wk.

The Dfe does not collect data on school libraries. That genuinely seems shocking to me.

I did 't know this about the priorities of the national year of reading: "the DfE has identified three priority audiences" "• boys aged 10–16 (including a focus on KS2-KS3 transition) • parents from disadvantaged communities • early years (children aged 0–5 and their parents / caregivers)"

Louie's putting in the hard yards for the rest of us. Her thread is well worth reading. #KidLit #KidLitUK

Louie Stowell@louiestowell.bsky.social · 2w ago

Ok, it's time for Finally Read The Longread Tabs I Have Open Sunday! This one's a LONG one...the edcuation select committee report on reading for pleasure. publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5902/cm...

The new Prime Minister is writing a "10-year plan" for the UK. The arts & culture MUST be part of it. I've signed @campaignforthearts.org's petition urging @andyburnham.bsky.social to revitalise the arts – to revitalise the whole nation 🌱 Join me: www.campaignforthearts.org/petitions/10-year-plan/

Prime Minister – put the arts in your 10-year plan for the UK | Campaign for the Arts

Sign our petition urging the UK Government to build a country where the arts are available from childhood, accessible to all and thriving everywhere.

campaignforthearts.org

Sorry, I know you're sick of me talking about my books, but I only have one more Hazel book contracted, which means I need to pitch the next ones soon, and a key part of getting the proposal over the line is showing my publisher that the people are OBSESSED with my weird zombie lovers

Please don't use this crap :( Kids deserve better. You deserve better. We all deserve better. If making up stories isn't your thing, read them an actual, real, written-by-a-human book.

Charles Logan@charleswlogan.bsky.social · 2w ago

Meta still undefeated in its mission to be the most misanthropic company in human history. ht: @aicaution.ca

I am testing negative from covid FUCKING FINALLY, so I’m back to working on my Animation Writing Masterclass course! There are still a few slots available, so if you want to learn about writing and pitching from me over Zoom this September… COME HITHER: animationscreenwriting.com

Animation Writing Masterclass: From Pitch To Pilot | Enroll Now

Join our Animation Writing Masterclass to learn how to develop, pitch, and script animated television and movies, led by Emmy-nominated screenwriter and producer James Hamilton

animationscreenwriting.com

This is very good and you should watch it. A funny, twisted, weird little British sitcom. Perfectly pitched, and free to watch (legally!) on YouTube!

James Hamilton@jameshamiltonwriter.com · 2w ago

BEHOLD! Your regular reminder that I wrote and produced a multi-award-winning horror-comedy murder mystery series called Murder for Dummies, and all six episodes are free to watch on YouTube! It's Garth Marenghi's Darkplace x Knives Out x American Vandal. ENJOY IMMEDIATELY:

Burnham: “I’d like you to remain as Culture Secretary.” Nandy: “I’m Culture Secretary?”

VINDICATION!!!

The Wall Street Journal@wsj.com · 2w ago

There is good news for coffee drinkers: Up to five cups of the brew a day are safe for most adults and may even have benefits for heart health, according to a new scientific statement by the American Heart Association. ☕️ wsj.visitlink.me/zhwvmO

I once worked in an office that held so many meetings, they convened a meeting to discuss how to have fewer meetings.

SMD@anothersmd.bsky.social · last yr.

what are some absurd work situations you can share? once i got called into a meeting i had nothing to do with because the consultant brought an engineer and no one in the room could understand him, so they asked me to translate. he was scouse. i translated from english to english.

If you ever want to give an author whose book you've loved a magical free gift, recommend their book to someone.

Juliet E McKenna@julietemckenna.bsky.social · 2w ago

Word of mouth, personal recommendation, was the first and remains the best way for authors to reach new readers long-term. New readers helps us carry on writing new books for everyone.

Harry Potter fan who fell into a coma shortly after reading The Deathly Hallows wakes up in 2026

Mark's identified the key problem with the new Year of Reading book giveaway; where's the choice for kids? A short thread worth reading. #KidLit #KidLitUK

Mark Bradley@markbradley.bsky.social · 3w ago

Have many thoughts about this and the wider Year of Reading. Want to say this up front: - I really like Impossible Creatures (& Rundell herself seems ace) so this isn’t about that. - I think this is a lovely idea - Whilst it’s nice, I think that this initiative is a little misguided

Should probably also mention that I have a book out in the UK today! It's a cosy, witchy book under my Heather Spellman pseudonym, and it's published by Pan Macmillan. If you want to hang out with nice people at the beach and do some magic, this one is for you! www.panmacmillan.com/authors/heat...

“A.I. Movies” www.tiktok.com/@americanbar...

Publication day flowers! Thank you @panmacmillan.bsky.social!